Resources For

Retirement FAQs Post-Retirement

Family Benefits

Generally, your coverage continues for 36 months from the date of your divorce or annulment, as long as you pay your premiums on time. After your TCC enrollment ends:
• you get a 31-day extension of coverage, and
• you may convert to an individual contract offered by your health benefits
plan, unless you lose coverage because you canceled your enrollment or didn’t pay your premiums.

No. Only the children covered under the enrollment of an employee, former employee, or annuitant are eligible for TCC.
If your child loses coverage under you spouse equity enrollment, he/she:
• gets a 31-day extension of coverage, and
• may convert to an individual contract offered by your health benefits plan,
unless he/she loses coverage because you canceled your enrollment or didn’t pay your premiums.

You may enroll for TCC if, during the first 36 months after your marriage ended:
• Your spouse equity enrollment terminates because you no longer have a qualifying court order,
or
• you remarry before age 55.
You must submit a TCC election within 60 days from the date you lose spouse equity coverage. The TCC coverage will end 36 months from the date your marriage ended.

Yes, if:
• you were covered as a family member under the Federal employee or annuitant’s enrollment at some time during the 18 months before your divorce or annulment, and
• you or your former spouse notify the employing office within the required time limit that you want TCC.

If you are a Federal annuitant enrolled in the FEHB Program and if you decide to cancel your FEHB enrollment, you should be aware of the consequences of canceling your FEHB enrollment including the following but not limited to:

You CANNOT re-enroll in the FEHB Program.

You and your enrolled family members will not be eligible to enroll in temporary continuation of coverage or convert to a nongroup contract; in addition, the 31-day extension of coverage does not apply to cancelled enrollments.

If you die, you will not have an FEHB Self and Family enrollment for your survivors to continue, even if they are eligible for a survivor annuity.

To change to a family health benefits enrollment, call OPM anytime from 31 days before your marriage to 60 days afterward. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the next health benefits open season to make the change. If you already have a family plan, contact the health benefits carrier to include your spouse in the coverage.